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Renovate and Rejuvenate: Surviving a multi-phase building renovation. Augusta County Library began in 1977 in a former barracks building at the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center complex.
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Renovate and Rejuvenate:Surviving a multi-phase building renovation
Augusta County Library began in 1977 in a former barracks building at the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center complex.
In 1983 the former Fishersville Elementary School (built in 1934) was renovated to become the new home of the library
24 years later, in 2007, the first stage of a two-phase major overhaul of the building began with Phase I – the Children’s Wing.
Seven months and 4,000 additional square feet later, the new Children’s Wing was open for business.
With Phase I complete the contrast between the old and new parts of the library were extreme. Coupled with significant building issues (outdated HVAC, ancient boiler, carpeting over 25 years old, exposed asbestos tile, sinking floors) the library needed Phase II.
With money from our capital account and funds from a planning development rights project the job was put out for bid. The slowing economy meant a lower bid, allowing us to start Phase II in October, 2009.
The snow-heavy winter of 2010 along with unexpected discoveries during construction caused numerous delays. The nine-month project ultimately took fourteen. Noise, dust, and three stages later the project was finally completed in December, 2010.
It was the “perfect storm” of preparation, planning, and political support
Preparation: • Reputation of friendliness • Children’s services • Friends of the Library and volunteers • Media relations • Political champions • Documentation: a) structural problems b) statistics • Patron advocates
Planning: • 2001 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) • 2003 Planning begins • 2005 Master Plan approved • 2006 Request for Proposal, Phase I (Children’s Wing) • 2007 Groundbreaking for Phase I • 2008 Phase II approved • 2009 Groundbreaking for Phase II • 2010 Final move
Political Support: • What does your community value? • Chairman of Library Board of Trustees • Board of Supervisors • County Administration
Funding Sources: Phase I: • CIP ($770,103) • CIP for bookmobile and branch library($134,335) • Phase II account ($120,639) = $1,160,602 Phase II: • Initial cost estimate of $2,432,074; Winning bid $1,267,099 – 55% lower. Funded from a planning development rights project and depreciation accounts
RenovationRelations Tips for Dealing With: Staff Patrons
Communication, Communication, Communication! • Staff meetings and brief morning meetings • Allow staff to ask questions and vent • Be positive!
Keep Up Staff Moral • Listen! Listen! Listen! • Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate! • Recognize special staff effort • Food from volunteers and Friends • Ear plugs for the staff • “Behind the scenes” tours of progress • Staff input
Keep the Public Informed Get the Word out: • Groundbreaking • Librarywebsite • Outsidesigns • Tabledisplays
Building Usage Meeting rooms School groups
Use Humor!!!! • Laugh and share inspiring messages • Be flexible • Keep your eye on the “bigger picture “
Make friends (especially with the construction site supervisor)! • Be flexible • Work together to find ways to save money
Get a full set of blueprints prior to the beginning of construction to review: Locations of light switches Locations and quantities of electrical outlets and data ports
Review color scheme and flooring details… …and the height of window sills Confirm all vents, diffusers, etc. are installed in their proper locations as the job progresses
Restroom fixtures style and quantity And make furnishing choices early to allow for changes in outlet/port locations
Have biweekly construction meetings • Monitor change orders and RFIs
Final Words of Advice: Don’t let the architects design your check-out desk unless they are experienced with libraries Ask for what you want, and don’t be afraid to push for what’s important to you! Find a moving company with library experience to move your books, but supervise them.
Presenters: Diantha McCauley, Directordiantha@augustacountylibrary.org Debbie Sweeney, Assistant Directordsweeney98@augustacountylibrary.org Tammy Coulter, Librarian II - Youth Services tcoulter@augustacountylibrary.org 540-885-3961